Book Review: Why I Left the Amish by Saloma Miller-Furlong

This has to be one of the most heartfelt non-fiction books regarding the Amish out there. I really love Saloma's calm and mellow personality and it shows in her memories.

Saloma was a child growing up in Amish Ohio. Her story recounts many details of her life, and the life of her Amish family as flashbacks, starting with her dying father and her decision on whether to visit him before he passes. In the book, present day, she is attending college with a husband and two grown sons. Continuing her education was a dream of hers and very important to her.

Looking back on her life, she speaks of the good times, and bad times, of her family. She speaks of her father, who struggled with a degree of mental illness from a troubled childhood himself. Her mother frequently had to pick up the slack for what he was unable and unwilling to do. Life on an Amish farm is difficult for each parent to begin with. But to handle all of the responsibility of a mother of a number of children, wife, and tending to the animals proved to be difficult for her.

Saloma tells the story of her various siblings and their struggles, as well. Including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. She also speaks of her memories of becoming a member of the Amish church, which typically occurs during late teens-early 20's. There were things she didn't agree with the church on, but being an Amish female also meant being submissive to the men in her life and community.

But, unlike some stories you hear, Saloma does a fine job of not making it a story about pity or an Amish Bash Fest. She does a fine job of pulling you into her life, living her memories, filled with many laughs and many tears.

I do not want to give too much of the story away, but if you want a story of an Amish child and learning interesting information on how her particular community and family worked, this is a great story. I think the biggest plus in this story is her vivid memories told in a very mellow tone. Nothing wildly exaggerated. Simply like sitting down and having your mother or grandmother tell you the story of her life with no dull moments.

I'd definitely give it 5/5 stars!